Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders Masked Rider celebrates a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Texas Tech will be the center of the college football world on Saturday, Nov. 8, when it hosts BYU with ESPN's "College GameDay" in town.

"GameDay" will be on site in Lubbock, Texas, for the No. 9 Red Raiders' (8-1, 6-0 Big 12) matchup with the No. 8 Cougars (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) in a battle between two College Football Playoff contenders.

Texas Tech's campus isn't a familiar place for "College GameDay," only appearing as the site of the ESPN show once. In fact, that came in 2008, when the Red Raiders upset No. 1 Texas on a game-winning touchdown catch by Michael Crabtree, a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner.

While Texas Tech may not be a school that gets the national stage often, the program likely isn't going away anytime soon either, with its commitment to having a high budget and its potential to reach the CFP this season.

Here's what to know of some of Texas Tech's traditions, with unfamiliar fans likely tuned in for the Week 11 game.

What is a Red Raider?

Texas Tech has a unique nickname, one that doesn't have an obvious explanation.

The nickname came to be in 1936, after Lubbock Avalanche-Journal sportswriter Collier Paris coined the team as the Red Raiders given their black and red uniforms along with the tough schedule they faced. Prior to 1936, the team was called the Matadors, due to the school's Spanish-like architecture.

"The Red Raiders from Texas Tech, terror in the Southwest this year, swooped in the New Mexico University camp today," Paris wrote in 1932, per the school.

Who is Texas Tech's mascot?

Texas Tech's mascot is The Masked Rider, which started in 1936 as a dare.

The Masked Rider obviously wears a mask and also rides into games on a horse. The mascot was originally called the Ghost Rider, as the person's identity was unknown.

The Masked Rider became the school's official mascot in 1954, when legendary horseman Joe Kirk Fulton led the team onto the field at the Gator Bowl wearing Levi's, a mask and a red shirt, according to the school.

The Masked Rider today leads the team onto the field on a horse while signaling guns up, the program's hand greeting.

Texas Tech football field

Texas Tech plays at Jones AT&T Stadium, which underwent massive renovations prior to the 2025 season.

The $242 million project was completed in July and included an uplift of the south endzone. It also added new football facilities and a new visitor's locker room.

The stadium opened in 1947 with a capacity of 27,000, and is named after Texas Tech's third president, Clifford B. Jones. It has since expanded to just over 60,000 in capacity,

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Texas Tech called the Red Raiders? What to know of school's top traditions

Reporting by Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect